Tuesday, October 22, 2013

"You did good."

"You did good."

3 little words I received today from a complete stranger.

So I decided to take a short trip over to Cougar Country
today! Sounds thrilling, huh? Well it is. It’s the home of the Cranford Cougar
football team, track stars, soccer team, field hockey team, lacrosse players,
baseball stars and I’m sure other athletics that my brain can’t think of right
now. I went on this journey today to simply change it up; my daily routine and
for no other reason. So I pulled up, parked my car (next time I will ride my
bike…not sure why I didn’t do that to begin with), plugged my ears with some
good old trash music and off I went on my journey. My feet hit the track and
before I knew it, I became one of them. Today I was an athlete. I ran the track
with all intentions of counting the laps and then I would move on to steps. But
that’s not how the rest of my time in Cougar Country played out. Almost
immediately an older gentleman and I caught each others eyes and we at first
just smiled at each other. Already I was feeling safe, good and happy. What a
smile can do. So of course, before I knew it, I completely lost track of lap counts
and was simply enjoying my freedom. I’m not really a tracker by nature. I do
things for the pure enjoyment and experience. It was a beautiful, crisp morning
and right about at this point I was so grateful that I came. So around lap #3,
Mr. older Gentelman….let’s call him Grandpa said, “A beautiful Day!” I pumped
my fist in the air cheering him on too and agreed saying, “Yes, it is!” Next lap,
Grandpa (and I say this with the utmost respect and with a tear in my eye
because I didn’t grow up with a grandfather. My Dad’s father passed away before
I was born and my Mom’s father passed when I was 3yrs old.) says, (this time I
take my ear bud out),

“You did good.”

I nearly cried. My life flashed before me as if he were my
grandpas from heaven above looking down on me saying, “You did good.” As if I ran the fastest race in my life, as if
I won the state championship, as if I won The Heisman! But instead I just won.
Nothing. No trophy. Nothing to take home. No speeches to make. But I won. Today
I was the champion of Cougar Country. I was honored the “You did good” award.
And for that I thank you, Grandpee and Dziadzia.

So change it up, go for a walk down the road less traveled,
drive a different route, take a new job, run, walk, practice yoga, climb a
tree, go to a different grocery store. I don’t care, but truly enjoy the
moment. Enjoy the beautiful human beings around us. You just never know what
you will be awarded. But let me know when you win that grand prize because I
want to be the first to hear your acceptance speech.